Boutique or Big Brand?

Big brands tend to give you more for you money sometimes. 
 

look at the build quality of the 800 series. It is outstanding, a small brand would be twice as much. I don’t like the sound of B&W but there is no denying the 800 have an amazing build quality.
 

 Then there are brands like revel. A true engineering powerhouse with real double blind testing. Their “cheap” 226be is simple great at $7000 I would put them up agents the focal Sopra line at 3 times the price. Is the Sopra better… yeah probably as it sounds more open but they are so close it might blow your mind at the price difference.
 

then brands like Sonus Faber look simply stunning. Wow, that finish would be crazy expensive from a smaller brand. They sound good too. 
 

so for me I would look at Revel, Sonus Faber or similar brand (too many to name) and if you don’t like the sound of those expand to other smaller brands. These two brands offer a lot for the money.  Used Olympica III are a great buy right now. Revel’s used prices seem a touch high to me but new they are a good deal.
 

lots of used Wilson out there too. Way over priced new but used probably ok and they hold their value.  

Why not have a look at some Tannoys? I think the Cheviots can be had for around 6500.....yes, a big brand, but with a sort of bespoke design and feel. Gorgeous speakers. 

1. That's a great range for a set of speakers.

2. I won't mentions brands I have purchased, owned... because there are so many variables. 

3. To your question, I'd add, check on customer service. I've had some products that needed service - good luck trying to get support AND some that had excellent service. 

4. Ask others who have the products you settle on and read reviews. 

If buying new I would go with a boutique brand. People say all kinds of BS about the Tekton’s cheap drivers and all that. They actually are pretty good drivers and implemented well. I doubt you could diy most Tektons for what they cost. My old DIs did some things better than way more expensive speakers. No I don’t think they were better than most 30k speakers as the hype says. They were however I’m pretty sure better than anything else at 3k or even in the ballpark. 
 

On the other hand if I was spending 5k it would not be new speakers. 5k gets you a hell of a speaker if willing to buy used. Think 10-12 years old speakers that were 10-15k at the time you can get for %75 off. Not much risk there. My Pioneer S-1ex are better than the Tektons and I paid the same for at the time. 
 

Ramping that budget up to 15-20k I don’t know. Probably some Focal Sopra. 

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned- when you narrow it down, message a few members that have owned the speakers you are looking at. I always reply and those that I've contact reply too. It can be a good way to get a little deeper and maybe get some better opinions before purchasing.

Good luck you will find something nice in that range, especially if you decide to buy used.